The endocrine system
Cards (29)
- HormoneChemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
- Endocrine GlandGlands of the endocrine system that release hormones into the bloodstream
- AdrenalineA hormone released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress
- TestosteroneMale sex hormone
- OestrogenThe female sex hormone responsible for sexual development.
- NeuronA nerve cell; the basic building block of the nervous system
- Central Nervous SystemConsists of the brain and spinal cord
- Peripheral Nervous SystemThe sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
- StimulusA signal to which an organism responds
- ResponseAn action or change in behaviour that occurs as a result of a stimulus.
- Sensory NeuronNeurons that carry incoming information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
- ReceptorReceives information about stimuli from our external and internal environment
- Motor NeuronA neuron that sends an impulse to a muscle or gland, causing the muscle or gland to react
- EffectorAn organ (a gland or muscle) that becomes active (performs an action) in response to nerve impulses.
- ReflexA simple, automatic, inborn response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response.
- SynapseGap between neurons
- AxonA threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body.
- Cell BodyLargest part of a typical neuron; contains the nucleus and much of the cytoplasm
- DendriteBranchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.
- NeurotransmitterChemical released by a neuron into the synapse to activate the next neuron, allowing the impulse/information to move to the next neuron.
- GlucagonA hormone secreted that increases blood glucose concentration
- ImpulseThe signal or 'information' which is sent through our nerves
- PhotoreceptorA receptor that responds to light
- HomeostasisAn ability which allows organisms to maintain a stable internal environment
- InsulinA hormone produced by the pancreas to lower blood glucose levels
- ThermoreceptorA receptor that responds to changes in temperature.
- MechanoreceptorA sensory receptor that responds to mechanical stimulation (pressure, vibration, or movement)
- Myelin SheathCovers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses
- Sex HormonesHormones that regulate the development and functioning of reproductive organs (testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone)